2013 A Healthier Nation, County by County Released

Posted on 3/20/2013
by
Ayotunde Ademoyero

The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, released earlier today, help us see how where we live, learn, work and play influences how healthy we are and how long we live. The Rankings & Roadmaps show us what is making residents sick, where we need to improve, and what steps communities are taking to solve their problems.
Forsyth County ranked 28th among the 100 counties of N.C. with regard to Health Outcome status (mortality and morbidity) compared to 25th last year. Forsyth County ranked 4th among the largest 5 counties and 8th among the 10 largest counties with regards to Health Outcomes.

Forsyth County ranked 24th among the 100 NC counties with regard to Health Factors (health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment) compared to 21st last year. Forsyth County ranked 4th of the largest 5 counties and 8th among the10 largest counties with respect to Health Factors.

The Rankings confirm the results of Forsyth County’s 2011 Community Health Assessment top priority focus areas which are physical activity & nutrition, chronic disease prevention, maternal & infant health and social determinants of health. Newly formed coalitions, existing coalitions and health department programs are addressing some of the health factors such as sexually transmitted infections, smoking, teen birth rates and access to healthy food.

As a community we need to focus on other issues as preventable hospital stays, inadequate social support, children in poverty and unemployment. When most people in Forsyth County are healthy, there are lower health costs, fewer sick days, and increased productivity, all of which are critical to economic growth.